Latest news with #StratfordEastTheatre
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wales' slavery legacy explored in new play
It is important not to forget the "atrocities the British Empire was involved in," a playwright has said as her debut hit play heads to London. Azuka Oforka, 43, was one of two winners of the best writer at the Stage Debut Awards last year for The Women of Llanrumney. It explores Welsh links to slavery and the role of Sir Henry Morgan - the Welsh plantation owner and later Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. Azuka was inspired to write the play after a visit to Cardiff's Llanrumney Hall where she first learnt about Wales' connection to the Atlantic slave trade. Azuka Oforka grew up in London but moved to Cardiff in 2012. The English actress is known for her role in Casualty but has gone through a "whirlwind" 18 months writing her play. "It's a debut that many writers would dream of. Hopefully it opens the door to tell many more stories," she said. Welshman recognised in USA for anti-slavery work Slave owner Picton's portrait removed from museum From slave to slave owner She was inspired after seeing a portrait of Sir Henry Morgan in Llanrumney Hall, the man who set up the Llanrumney sugar plantation in 18th Century Jamaica. "It was captioned Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. I just knew that grandiose title had obscured a real brutal legacy of slavery," she said. The Sherman Theatre in Cardiff was looking for stories that spoke to a Welsh audience at the time and representatives contacted Azuka, who felt it was her "call to arms" to explore Wales' links with slavery and the British Empire. Sir Henry Morgan (1635-1688), the Llanrumney-born Caribbean buccaneer and one-time acting governor, became a plantation owner on the island and is commemorated in Morgan's Valley in Clarendon, a parish in Jamaica. Azuka said she was "completely unaware" of his links to slavery, despite him being "a founding father of a slave colony". "I would not have written this play had I been based anywhere else," she added. The Women of Llanrumney will be played at London's Stratford East Theatre before returning to The Sherman in April. Azuka said it has resonated with audiences who she was keen not to "patronize". "This hidden history is brought to life in a rich electric, thought-provoking and thrilling night of theatre," she said. The Atlantic slave trade "still shapes the modern world" according to Azuka, which makes this story relevant, despite it being set hundreds of years ago. "It built vast wealth for Britain and it's left a legacy of economic, racial and social inequalities," she said. Azuka would like to see more schools have an "honest conversation" about British history with their pupils. "We don't really learn about the 400 years of immense wealth that it built for Britain and the people's lives that it affected generation after generation." Azuka is "really excited" about the future and said she was brimming with ideas for her next play. "I'm inspired to tell stories of marginalized women, working class women, black people," she said. She is also keen to uncover more of Wales' hidden history. Chris Evans, a history professor at University of South Wales and author of Slave Wales, said the nation had a "quite intimate relationship with the Caribbean". "It had a niche role to play in that it supplied particular inputs to the wider Atlantic economy and to the Caribbean economy." Demand for copper and brace led to the creation of the copper smelting industry in south Wales, leading to the district of Swansea becoming "Europe's leading copper producing region by the end of the 18th Century". He said people would "become wealthy in the Caribbean then invest their money in real estate in Wales". One person who benefited enormously was Sir Henry Morgan. "He goes to the West Indies because he's not somebody who has many prospects in Wales or in England," said Prof Evans. "He makes his money there and, like most people in the 17th Century, he reinvests what money he has in enslaved human beings. "Caribbean planters were simply stupendously rich, I mean they were the oligarchs of their day." While the planters have a past that is enshrouded in exploitation, their impact on Wales is still visible today. "People of African descent in Wales tend to be one of two sorts. One is that they are children of Caribbean planters, that's to say, of a Welsh father and an African or Afro descendant. "We can think of people like that, like Nathaniel Wells, who inherits a major estate in Monmouthshire." Prof Evans said it was a "critical part" of Welsh history. He added: "The more we look the more the linkages between the 18th Century Atlantic world, Britain as a society and a culture become apparent." 200 memorials linked to slave trade in Wales Welsh weavers 'implicated in slave trade' Wales' hidden slave trade links
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Slavery: Wales' links to Caribbean legacy explored in play
It is important not to forget the "atrocities the British Empire was involved in," a playwright has said as her debut hit play heads to Oforka, 43, was one of two winners of the best writer at the Stage Debut Awards last year for The Women of explores Welsh links to slavery and the role of Sir Henry Morgan - the Welsh plantation owner and later Lieutenant Governor of was inspired to write the play after a visit to Cardiff's Llanrumney Hall where she first learnt about Wales' connection to the Atlantic slave trade. Azuka Oforka grew up in London but moved to Cardiff in English actress is known for her role in Casualty but has gone through a "whirlwind" 18 months writing her play."It's a debut that many writers would dream of. Hopefully it opens the door to tell many more stories," she said. She was inspired after seeing a portrait of Sir Henry Morgan in Llanrumney Hall, the man who set up the Llanrumney sugar plantation in 18th Century Jamaica."It was captioned Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. I just knew that grandiose title had obscured a real brutal legacy of slavery," she Sherman Theatre in Cardiff was looking for stories that spoke to a Welsh audience at the time and representatives contacted Azuka, who felt it was her "call to arms" to explore Wales' links with slavery and the British Empire. Sir Henry Morgan (1635-1688), the Llanrumney-born Caribbean buccaneer and one-time acting governor, became a plantation owner on the island and is commemorated in Morgan's Valley in Clarendon, a parish in said she was "completely unaware" of his links to slavery, despite him being "a founding father of a slave colony"."I would not have written this play had I been based anywhere else," she Women of Llanrumney will be played at London's Stratford East Theatre before returning to The Sherman in said it has resonated with audiences who she was keen not to "patronize"."This hidden history is brought to life in a rich electric, thought-provoking and thrilling night of theatre," she said. The Atlantic slave trade "still shapes the modern world" according to Azuka, which makes this story relevant, despite it being set hundreds of years ago."It built vast wealth for Britain and it's left a legacy of economic, racial and social inequalities," she would like to see more schools have an "honest conversation" about British history with their pupils."We don't really learn about the 400 years of immense wealth that it built for Britain and the people's lives that it affected generation after generation." Azuka is "really excited" about the future and said she was brimming with ideas for her next play."I'm inspired to tell stories of marginalized women, working class women, black people," she is also keen to uncover more of Wales' hidden history. Chris Evans, a history professor at University of South Wales and author of Slave Wales, said the nation had a "quite intimate relationship with the Caribbean"."It had a niche role to play in that it supplied particular inputs to the wider Atlantic economy and to the Caribbean economy."Demand for copper and brace led to the creation of the copper smelting industry in south Wales, leading to the district of Swansea becoming "Europe's leading copper producing region by the end of the 18th Century".He said people would "become wealthy in the Caribbean then invest their money in real estate in Wales". One person who benefited enormously was Sir Henry Morgan."He goes to the West Indies because he's not somebody who has many prospects in Wales or in England," said Prof Evans."He makes his money there and, like most people in the 17th Century, he reinvests what money he has in enslaved human beings."Caribbean planters were simply stupendously rich, I mean they were the oligarchs of their day."While the planters have a past that is enshrouded in exploitation, their impact on Wales is still visible today."People of African descent in Wales tend to be one of two sorts. One is that they are children of Caribbean planters, that's to say, of a Welsh father and an African or Afro descendant."We can think of people like that, like Nathaniel Wells, who inherits a major estate in Monmouthshire."Prof Evans said it was a "critical part" of Welsh added: "The more we look the more the linkages between the 18th Century Atlantic world, Britain as a society and a culture become apparent."
CBS News
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo on soaring to success
Before gracing such grand venues as the Academy Awards, Cynthia Erivo could be found at the Stratford East Theatre in London, not far from where she grew up, and where she'd filled any role she could: "Working the bar or being an usher. And when I got to be in a play, I was so happy. That was a big deal for me." The talent that made her a big deal is undeniable – a dynamic vocalist who convincingly took on the role of Aretha Franklin, one of the many portrayals garnering Erivo critical acclaim. Asked if she recognizes how special her voice is, Erivo replied, "What I think is most special is what I get back from people, the connections that get made. That's the thing I'm always looking for." She connected with Broadway audiences in "The Color Purple," earning a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony Award. And now, she's starring in the film "Wicked," which has 10 Oscar nominations, including best actress for Erivo. Opposite Ariana Grande, Erivo plays Elphaba, in this prequel to "The Wizard of Oz." Elphaba battles being an outcast and discovers her inner strength: Excerpt: Cynthia Erivo performs "Defying Gravity," from "Wicked": Fans has posted online their own renditions of "Defying Gravity." "It's really fun that people have taken it and made it their own," Erivo said. "And I'm glad that that moment brings so much joy to people." "What do you think you brought to Elphaba?" I asked. "The vulnerability, her humanity," she said. "What's that vulnerability for you personally?" "I think always wanting to do well and not wanting to fail, not wanting to let family down. Those are the insecurities. Finally owning how I look." "What do you mean by that?" "Well, I think we're not necessarily told that, you know, dark-skinned Black girls are the prettiest girls," Erivo said. "And the only person that really is telling you, thankfully, is your mother. It's up to you to figure out that for yourself, and to start owning what beauty is to you." "You're really close with your mom. You're not with your dad?" "No." "As you've gone on to have more and more success and visibility, how much do you think about your dad?" "I don't necessarily think about him too much, only that I wish him well," Erivo said. "When I was a teenager, [I was] very angry at what that relationship was. That sort of fractured relationship I have with him, I think, originally was one of the driving forces of, you know, you want to do well because you want to prove that you're good enough to be loved. But then, you have to start learning how to do it for you." "What happened with your dad?" "We had a falling-out that just never repaired," she said. "And he just left early on?" "Yeah." "It's interesting that you trace some of your desire to find success to a desire to –" "To be loved," Erivo said. The 38-year-old lives in Los Angeles, but grew up in London. "London really is kind of what made me," she said. Her parents were immigrants from Nigeria. Her mother's drive for a better life was formative. "My mom made a decision because she wanted more for herself. To do that is a really brave thing. And I think that watching her do that made me do the same – you sort of are given the tools to be determined enough to go after your dreams." Her roles show range: Her portrayal of abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the 2019 film "Harriet" led to her first Academy Award nominations, for best actress and best original song, and secured her a place on the red carpet, where she speaks through another sort of language: fashion. "I think they're the words without the words," she said. I asked, "What do you feel like you say with how you dress?" "I think I tell people I'm a bit of a daredevil, that I am a kind rebel!" she replied. Incredibly, she dared to sing live on the "Wicked" set while flying in a harness. I asked, "How does singing live in a film like that change the final product?" "Well, you can play," she said. "It means that you can act on impulse. … You have more breath, more space." "It lets the performance change?" "That's right. Moment to moment." "And presumably it lets more of you –" "… out!" Lately, Erivo is letting more of herself out – releasing an album later this year. Then, there's part two of "Wicked," opening in November. "I feel really open," she said. "I felt more myself then ever in this sort of last couple of years. It makes things a lot more fun, you know?" "And maybe gives another meaning or undertone or something to this 'defying gravity'?" I asked. The Oscar-nominated actress discusses her unique recording style with correspondent Seth Doane. To watch a trailer for "Wicked" click on the video player below. For more info: "Wicked" is playing in theaters, and is available on Blu-Ray/DVD and VOD Follow Cynthia Erivo on Instagram Story produced by Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Lauren Barnello. See also:
